Ventilated housing and assembly

ABSTRACT

A ventilated housing for accommodating one or more components comprises opposed first and second-spaced apart end portions. An air barrier extends at least partially between the first and second end portions for limiting movement of air inside the housing and defining an upper or lower surface of the housing. A first part of the air barrier proximate the first end portion is positioned at a level below the level of a second part of the air barrier proximate the second end portion. An inlet is defined for admitting air into the housing and an outlet is defined for discharging air from the housing. An ventilated housing assembly comprises first and second housings with an angled space between a lower air barrier of the first housing and an upper air barrier of the second housing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to ventilated housings and ventilatedhousing assemblies.

BACKGROUND

Existing convection cooled units for rack-mounted communicationequipment typically leave a horizontal space between shelves for an aircushion and/or baffle units and/or cable management units. Typically,convection cooled units have a box-shaped cool air intake on the bottomand a box-shaped hot air exhaust on the top. If two such units arestacked without a space between them, the hot air radiating from thebottom unit heats up the air in the cool air intake of the upper unitpossibly resulting in the upper unit overheating.

Cable management in systems, such as telecommunication systems, isnormally single-function and requires additional vertical space toensure that the cables do not hinder the air intake and outlets ofconvection cooled units within the systems. For example, it is desirableto avoid passing the cables in front of the cool air intake or the hotair exhaust, which would hinder airflow.

Additionally, the cable management systems available do not alwaysaccommodate both front and rear dressing of cables within industrystandards.

One solution is to leave one rack unit of space between units toovercome this preheating and allow for proper fiber management, but thisarrangement takes up valuable space and therefore possibly results inloss of potential revenue. Another solution is a baffled kit that guidesthe airflow. This solution also takes up additional vertical rack spacewith associated revenue loss.

Units cooled using forced air solutions cost more, take up more rackspace and require more maintenance than convection cooling solutions.The fans in such forced air systems are bulky and require regularmaintenance. Furthermore, if the fan is not working, the unit can not beoperated. Forced air solutions are necessary for devices that generatetoo much heat to be dissipated by way of a convection cooling system butwhere possible convection cooled systems are preferable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ventilatedhousing for accommodating one or more components, the housingcomprising: opposed first and second spaced-apart end portions; an upperair barrier extending at least partially between the first and secondend portions for limiting upward movement of air inside the housing andhaving an upper surface; a first part of the upper air barrier proximatethe first end portion being positioned at a level below the level of asecond part of the upper air barrier proximate the second end portion;an inlet defined in the first end portion for admitting air into thehousing, the inlet being positioned at a level below the first part; andan outlet for discharging air from the housing.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the ventilated housingfurther comprises a lower air barrier disposed below the upper airbarrier, extending at least partially between the first and second endportions, at least a portion of the inlet being positioned above thelower air barrier, a first part of the lower air barrier proximate oneend portion being positioned at a level below the level of a second partof the lower barrier proximate the other end portion.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the ventilated housing,further comprises an element positioned in front of the first endportion at a level between the first and second parts of the upper airbarrier, the element being spaced from the first end portion to providea gap between the element and the first end portion for permitting thepassage of air above the upper air barrier. In some embodiments, theelement comprises a support for supporting a cable or wire.

Embodiments of the invention that include the element have the advantageof being able to integrate both an air baffle and cable management allwithin the height of the shelf, thus saving valuable rack space. Aswell, in rack mounted systems according to this embodiment, cables maybe dressed to the front or to the rear of the housings. For example, indesigns where the cables are connected at the front of a device, thecables may dress up and over the cable management devices. They can thenbe routed to the right or left or both for front dressing. For reardressing, the cables dress up and route to one side and then to the rearthrough a channel on the side of the element or cable managementassembly.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided aventilated housing assembly, comprising a first and second ventilatedhousing, the second housing being positioned below the first housing;the housing assembly having first and second opposed, spaced-apart endportions; the first housing having a lower air barrier extending atleast partially between the first and second end portions, a first partof the lower air barrier proximate the first end portion being disposedat a level below the level of a second part of the lower air barrierproximate the second end portion; the second housing having an upper airbarrier extending at least partially between the first and second endportions, a first part of the upper air barrier proximate the first endportion being disposed at a level below the level of a second part ofthe upper air barrier of the second housing proximate the second endportion; and the upper air barrier of the second housing being spacedfrom the lower air barrier of the first housing to provide a spacetherebetween.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided aventilated housing for accommodating one or more components, comprising:first and second opposed, spaced apart end portions; a lower air barrierextending at least partially between the first and second end portionsfor limiting downward movement of air inside the housing and having alower surface; a first part of the lower air barrier proximate the firstend portion being positioned at a level below the level of a secondapart of the air barrier proximate the second end portion; an inletdefined in the first end portion for admitting air into the housing andbeing positioned opposite the second part of the lower air barrier; andan outlet for discharging air from the housing.

Advantageously, the slope of the upper and lower air barriers in aspectsof the present invention allows for saving of vertical space over theprior art convection cooled systems when ventilated housings arestacked. The second part of the upper air barrier of one stacked housingmay be at a level at or above the level of the first part of the lowerair barrier of the housing above the one stacked housing. Thus, theremay be an vertical overlap of the air space between the upper and lowerunits and the air barriers of the units. Alternatively, the same amountof total space may be used as with traditional stacked systems whileachieving a greater air space between each housing. An improvedconvection cooled product reduces the requirements for forced airsystems, which require fan and filter maintenance.

Other aspects and features of the present invention will becomeapparent, to those ordinarily skilled in the art, upon review of thefollowing description of the specific embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a side view of a ventilated housing according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a side view of a ventilated housing according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1C is a side view of a ventilated housing according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1D is a perspective view of a ventilated housing according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a side view of a ventilated housing according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a ventilated housing according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a side view of a ventilated housing according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a ventilated housing according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3C is a perspective view of an element that can be attached to aventilated housing according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3D is a cut-away view of the element shown in FIG. 3C from line3C-3C;

FIG. 3E is a perspective view of an portion of a ventilated housingaccording to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3F is a front view of a ventilated housing according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a ventilated housing assembly according to oneembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is side view of a system of stacked ventilated housings accordingto one embodiment of the present invention.

Examples of embodiments of the invention will now be described ingreater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For ease of reference, the same reference numerals are used to refer toparts that perform the same function in each embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1A, one embodiment of a ventilated housing 100 foraccommodating one or more component comprises opposed first and secondspaced-apart end portions 102 and 103. An upper air barrier 105 extendsat least partially between the first and second end portions 102 and 103and has an upper surface. In some embodiments, the upper air barrier 105defines an upper surface of the ventilated housing 100. In otherembodiments, the housing also comprises a louver structure or aperforated support (not shown) above the upper air barrier 105. Theupper air barrier 105 limits upward movement of air inside the housing100. A first part 106 of the upper air barrier 105 proximate the firstend portion 102 is positioned at a level below the level of a secondpart 107 of the upper air barrier 105 proximate the second end portion103. An inlet 108 is defined in the first end portion 102 for admittingair into the housing, the inlet 108 being positioned at a level belowthe first part 106 of the upper air barrier 105. The ventilated housing100 also comprises an outlet 110 for discharging air from the housing100.

In some embodiments, the upper air barrier 105 comprises a panel thatslopes upwardly in a direction from the first end portion 102 towardsthe second end portion 103. In some embodiments, the upper air barrier105 extends substantially continuously from the first end portion 102 tothe second end portion 103.

At least a portion of the outlet 110, in some embodiments, is positionedat the second end portion 103 and at a level above the first part 106 ofthe upper air barrier 107.

One embodiment of the ventilated housing 100 according to the presentinvention, further comprises a support for supporting the one or morecomponents. In some embodiments, the support is positioned below theupper air barrier 105. In some embodiments, the support is positionedbelow the level of the first part 106 of the upper air barrier. In someembodiments, the support is adapted for receiving a plurality of circuitcards. In embodiments comprising the support, the inlet 108 may bepositioned below the support. In some embodiments the support is a mainbody of an electronic device.

Referring to FIG. 1B, another embodiment of the present inventioncomprises a ventilated housing 120 for accommodating one or morecomponents. The ventilated housing 120 comprises first and secondopposed, spaced-apart end portions 122 and 123. A lower air barrier 125extends at least partially between the first and second end portions 122and 123 for limiting downward movement of air inside the housing 120 andhas a lower surface. In some embodiments, the lower air barrier 125defines a lower surface of the housing 120. In other embodiments, thehousing also comprises a louver structure or a perforated support (notshown) below the lower air barrier 125. A first part 126 of the lowerair barrier 125 proximate the first end portion 122 is positioned at alevel below the level of a second part 127 of the lower air barrierproximate the second end portion 123. An inlet 128 defined in the firstend portion 122 for admitting air into the housing is positionedopposite the second part 127 of the lower air barrier 125. An outlet 130for discharging air from the housing 120 is also provided.

Referring to FIGS. 1C and 1D, a ventilated housing 140 according toanother embodiment of the present invention comprises an upper airbarrier 145 and a lower air barrier 155. The housing 140 comprisesopposed first and second spaced-apart end portions 142 and 143. Theupper air barrier 145 extends at least partially between the first andsecond end portions 142 and 143 and defines an upper surface of theventilated housing 140. A first part 146 of the upper air barrier 145proximate the first end portion 142 is positioned at a level below thelevel of a second part 147 of the upper air barrier 145 proximate thesecond end portion 143. The lower air barrier 155 is disposed below theupper air barrier 145 and extends at least partially between the firstand second end portions 142 and 143. A first part 156 of the lower airbarrier 155 proximate one end portion is positioned at a level below thelevel of a second part 157 of the lower air barrier 155 proximate theother end portion. In some embodiments the one end portion is the firstend portion 142 and the other end portion is the second end portion 143.Alternatively, in other embodiments, the one end portion is the secondend portion 143 and the other end portion is the first end portion 142.An inlet 148 is defined in the first end portion 142 for admitting airinto the housing. The inlet 148 is positioned at a level below the firstpart 146 of the upper air barrier 145 and at least a portion of theinlet is positioned above the lower air barrier 155. The ventilatedhousing 140 also comprises an outlet 150 for discharging air from thehousing.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the lower air barrier 155is parallel to the upper air barrier 145. In other embodiments, theupper air barrier slopes upwardly at an angle different than the lowerair barrier slopes downward. Conceivably, the first part 156 of thelower air barrier 155 may be proximate the second end portion 143.

In some embodiments of the present invention the upper air barrier 105or 145 and/or the lower air barrier 125 or 155 is (are) curved.

In some embodiments, the ventilated housing comprises a metallicperforated box, such as a Faraday cage.

The ventilated housing 100 or 140 in some embodiments further comprisesa structure for supporting another housing above the ventilated housingto provide a space between the upper air barrier and a lower portion ofthe other housing. In some embodiments, the other housing has a lowerair barrier such as that on the ventilated housings 120 and 140. In someembodiments, the space is open. In others, the space is filled with aninsulating material.

In use, the ventilated housing 100, 120 or 140 is applied to anapparatus for holding components that require cooling, such as anelectronic device for communication equipment. In an embodiment, thehousing is adapted for mounting on a rack. When two or more ventilatedhousings according to embodiments of the present invention are mountedon a rack, an angled air space may exist between any two such housings.Air will naturally flow through the air space in a direction from thefirst end portion to the second end portion.

In some embodiments, the lower air barrier 125 or 155 defines a cool airintake and the upper air barrier 105 and 145 defines a hot air exhaust.In some embodiments of the invention, the exhaust and/or the intakecomprise(s) baffles designed to direct the air flow through the exhaustbelow the upper air barrier or the intake above the lower air barrier.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a side view and a perspective view of theventilated housing 200 according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. The ventilated housing 200 is the same as the ventilatedhousing 140 described with reference to FIGS. 1C and 1D, with theexception that it also includes a lip 160 extending along the bottomedge of the first end portion in an outward and downward direction. Insome embodiments, the lip is parallel to the lower air barrier 155. Thisaides in directing air between the lip 160 and the lower air barrier155. In addition, the lip 160 may provide a substrate for supportinglabels for components of the main body. Angling the lip 160 makesreading such labels easier for a user while minimizing blockage of theintake.

In some embodiments, the ventilated housing 100 or 140 comprises anelement positioned in front of the first end portion 102, 142respectively, at a level between the first part 106, 146 and the secondpart 107, 147 of the upper air barrier 105, 145. The element is spacedfrom the first end portion 102, 142 to provide a gap between the elementand the first end portion for permitting the passage of air above theupper air barrier 105/145. In some embodiments, the element comprises asupport for supporting a cable or wire. In some embodiments, the elementis supported by the housing such that the distance between the elementand the housing can be varied. A non-limiting example of such an elementwill now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3D.

A ventilated housing 300 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B comprises the firstend portion 142 and second end portion 143, the upper air barrier 145and lower air barrier 155, as described with reference to FIGS. 1C and1D. The ventilated housing 300 also comprises an element 340 comprisingtwo parallel sides 342, 343 and a base side 341. The base side 341connects to two parallel sides 342 and 343 to form a U-shape. TheU-shaped element 340 attaches to the housing 300 above the first endportion 142 with the base side 341 being opposite the second part 147 ofthe upper air barrier 145. The base side 341 of the element 340 is froma front end portion 142. In some embodiments of the invention, the baseside 341 may be parallel, angled or curved with respect to the front endportion 142. When two ventilated housings 300 are stacked with an airspace between them, the base side 341 aids in directing air through theair space between the two housings.

In some embodiments of the invention, the element 340 has a lip 344 on abottom edge of the base side 341, as illustrated in FIGS. 3C and 3D. Thelip 344 is at an acute angle to the base side 341 and is angled towardthe housing 300. The lip 344 aids in directing the air flow of ambientair above the upper air barrier 145. Alternately, the lip could be at anobtuse angle away from the housing, or the element 340 itself could beat an angle.

In some embodiments of the invention, the element comprises means forredirecting cables from the front face of the housing 300 to a side ofthe housing perpendicular to a front face. One non-limiting example of ameans for redirecting the cables is illustrated in FIG. 3E. In theembodiment depicted in FIG. 3E, the means for redirecting cablescomprises at least one protrusion 346 extending from the base portion341 and in a direction away from the housing 300. FIG. 3E shows threesuch protrusions 346. However, any number can exist in otherembodiments. In some embodiments of the invention, the protrusions aremushroom-shaped. In some embodiments the protrusions have an oval shapeand are angled so that the cables can be directed to one side. The angleand oval shape aid in redirecting the cables without bending the cablesexcessively. In embodiments where the cables are fibre optic cables,there are limitations on the amount the cables can be bent andtherefore, the redirection means is shaped to accommodate thislimitation.

Alternatively, in other embodiments of the element, the cables aredressed along the base portion 341 and attached thereto, for example bylacing or tie-wrapping the cables to the element. In some embodiments,perforations are provided in the element for lacing or tying.

FIG. 3F is a diagram of a front face of a ventilated housing accordingto one embodiment of the invention where the element 340 extends onlypartially across the width of the housing 300. The protrusions 346 onthe redirection means 340 have an oval shape. Cables can then bedirected from a front face of the housing 300 around the protrusions 346to an area above the front face which is not covered by the element 340.

In some embodiments of the present invention the element 340 is movablein a direction between the end portions. The ability to move the elementforward and backward, with respect to the housing 300, has the advantageof enabling the housing 300 to be positioned flush with the edges of arack when mounted with the means for redirecting cables protrudingbeyond the edges of the rack or to have the housing extend beyond theedge of the rack. This feature can also be used to control the size ofthe intake to the air space when two apparatuses are stacked.

Referring to FIG. 4, a ventilated housing assembly 400, comprises afirst and second ventilated housings 410 and 420. The second housing 420is positioned below the first housing 410. The housing assembly 400 hasfirst and second opposed, spaced-apart end portions 402 and 403. Thefirst housing 410 has a lower air barrier 415 extending at leastpartially between the first and second end portions 402 and 403. A firstpart 416 of the lower air barrier 415 proximate the first end portion402 is disposed at a level below the level of a second part 417 of thelower air barrier 415 proximate the second end portion 403. The secondhousing 420 has an upper air barrier 425 extending at least partiallybetween the first and second end portions 402 and 403. A first part 426of the upper air barrier 425 proximate the first end portion 402 isdisposed at a level below the level of a second part 427 of the upperair barrier 425 of the second housing 420 proximate the second endportion 403. The upper air barrier 425 of the second housing 420 isspaced from the lower air barrier 415 of the first housing 410 toprovide a space therebetween.

In some embodiments of the ventilated housing assembly, the firsthousing 410 comprises an inlet in the first end portion 402 foradmitting air into the first housing 410 and the inlet is disposedopposite to the second part 427 of the lower air barrier 420.

In some embodiments, the second housing 420 comprises an outlet in thesecond end portion 403 for discharging air from the second housing 420,with at least a portion of the outlet disposed at the same level of atleast a portion of the space between the upper and lower air barriers415 and 425. In some embodiments, the ventilated housing assembly 400comprises an opening at the first end portion 402 for admitting air intothe space between the upper and lower air barriers 415 and 425. In someembodiments, at least a portion of the outlet is at the same level as atleast a portion of the opening.

In some embodiments, the upper air barrier 425 and the lower air barrier415 are parallel to each other. In other embodiments, they are atdifferent angles.

One embodiment of a system of stacked housings 140 is shown in FIG. 5.The system 500 comprises a rack 510, and a plurality of housings 140.While FIG. 5 depicts only two such housings, any number is possible. Anangled air space 520 is provided between the two housings 140. In otherembodiments, no free space is left between the housings. In those casesthe air barriers may comprise an insulating material.

What has been described is merely illustrative of the application of theprinciples of the invention. Other arrangements and methods can beimplemented by those skilled in the art without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention.

1. A ventilated housing for accommodating one or more components, thehousing comprising: opposed first and second spaced-apart portions; anupper air barrier extending at least partially between the first andsecond end portions for limiting upward movement of air inside thehousing and having an upper surface; a first part of the upper airbarrier proximate the first end portion being positioned at a levelbelow the level of a second part of the upper air barrier proximate thesecond end portion; an inlet defined in the first end portion foradmitting air into the housing, the inlet being positioned at a levelbelow the first part; an outlet for discharging air from the housing; anelement positioned in front of the first end portion at a level betweenthe first and second parts of the upper air barrier, the element beingspaced from the first end portion to provide a gap for permitting thepassage of air between the element and the first end portion and abovethe upper air barrier, wherein the element comprises a support forsupporting one or more cables or wires.
 2. The ventilated housing ofclaim 1, wherein the upper air barrier comprises a panel that slopesupwardly in a direction from the first end portion towards the secondend portion. 3-8. (canceled)
 9. The ventilated housing of claim 1,further comprising a lower air barrier disposed below the upper airbarrier, extending at least partially between the first and second endportions, at least a portion of the inlet being positioned above thelower air barrier, a first part of the lower air barrier proximate oneend portion being positioned at a level below the level of a second partof the lower barrier proximate the other end portion.
 10. The ventilatedhousing of claim 9, wherein the first part of the lower air barrier isproximate the same end portion of the housing as the first part of theupper air barrier. 11-12. (canceled)
 13. The ventilated housing of claim1, wherein the element is supported by the housing such that thedistance between the element and the housing can be varied.
 14. Theventilated housing of claim 1, further comprising a structure forsupporting another housing above the ventilated housing to provide aspace between the upper air barrier and a lower portion of the otherhousing.
 15. A ventilated housing assembly, comprising a first andsecond ventilated housing, the second housing being positioned below thefirst housing; the housing assembly having first and second opposed,spaced-apart end portions; the first housing having a lower air barrierextending at least partially between the first and second end portions,a first part of the lower air barrier proximate the first end portionbeing disposed at a level below the level of a second part of the lowerair barrier proximate the second end portion; the second housing havingan upper air barrier extending at least partially between the first andsecond end portions, a first part of the upper air barrier proximate thefirst end portion being disposed at a level below the level of a secondpart of the upper air barrier of the second housing proximate the secondend portion; the upper air barrier of the second housing being spacedfrom the lower air barrier of the first housing to provide a spacetherebetween; the second housing further comprising an elementpositioned in front of the first end portion at a level between thefirst and second parts of the upper air barrier, the element beingspaced from the first end portion to provide a gap for permitting thepassage of air between the element and the first end portion and intothe space between the upper air barrier and the lower air barrier,wherein the element comprises a support for supporting one or morecables or wires.
 16. The ventilated housing assembly according to claim15, wherein the first housing comprises an inlet in the first endportion for admitting air into the housing, wherein the inlet isdisposed opposite to the second part of the lower air barrier.
 17. Theventilated housing assembly according to claim 15, wherein the secondhousing comprises an outlet in the second end portion for dischargingair from the second housing, and wherein at least a portion of theoutlet is disposed at the same level of at least a portion of the spacebetween the upper and lower air barrier. 18-19. (canceled)
 20. Theventilated housing assembly according to claim 15, wherein the upper airbarrier and the lower air barrier are parallel to each other or atdifferent angles.
 21. (canceled)
 22. The ventilated housing of claim 1,wherein the element directs air between the element and the first endportion and above the upper air barrier.
 23. The ventilated housing ofclaim 22, wherein the element comprises: a base portion, and a lipextending from the base portion toward the first end portion to directair between the element and the first end portion and above the upperair barrier.
 24. The ventilated housing of claim 1, wherein the supportcomprises redirecting means for redirecting the one or more cables orwires.
 25. The ventilated housing of claim 24, wherein the redirectingmeans redirects the one or more cables or wires from the first endportion of the housing to a side of the housing perpendicular to thefirst end portion.
 26. The ventilated housing of claim 25, wherein theredirecting means comprises at least one protrusion.
 27. The ventilatedhousing of claim 1, wherein the support comprises perforations for usein lacing or tie-wrapping the one or more cables or wires to theelement.
 28. The ventilated housing assembly of claim 15, wherein theelement directs air between the element and the first end portion andinto the space between the upper air barrier and the lower air barrier.29. The ventilated housing assembly of claim 28, wherein the elementcomprises: a base portion; and a lip extending from the base portiontoward the first end portion to direct air between the element and thefirst end portion and into the space between the upper air barrier andthe lower air barrier.
 30. The ventilated housing assembly of claim 15wherein the support comprises redirecting means for redirecting the oneor more cables or wires.
 31. The ventilated housing assembly of claim30, wherein the redirecting means comprises at least one protrusion. 32.The ventilated housing assembly of claim 15, wherein the supportcomprises perforations for use in lacing or tie-wrapping the one or morecables or wires to the element.